In our Noted! blog we mentioned some of the most popular places in Tokyo and the things that make it so famous internationally. However, there’s something missing… Perhaps, we haven’t explored deep enough, which wouldn’t be surprising since it is a massive metropolis that you could only truly get to know after years and years there. We could even bet that locals that have lived all their lives in Tokyo do not know everything that’s hidden in plain sight. Honestly, this city has as many personalities as people, and anyone can find something that they’ll love and feel connected to. From fashion to anime, videogames and food, you can choose whatever you want! Keep reading to discover some of Tokyo’s lesser known neighborhoods that have plenty to offer. They’re sophisticated, colorful, relaxing and eccentric; which one would you like to visit first?
Yanaka:
Tokyo has gone through a lot of challenges, and that’s partly the reason why it has changed profoundly along the years. Nonetheless, there’s certain places in the city that have survived its extreme transformation, such as Yanaka. This is a neighborhood that in spite of earthquakes, fires and WWII bombings has been able to safeguard its original spirit, becoming one of the last remaining shitamachi (old-style neighborhood) of Tokyo. Once you step inside, you’ll be taken back to the Edo period, a time where instead of neon lights and massive skyscrapers, you’d find temples and generations-old homes and businesses. Nowadays, Yanaka is a bohemian neighborhood with an artistic soul, perfect for a stroll during a sunny spring afternoon.
Your first stop in the district should be Yanaka Ginza, its shotengai or shopping street, filled with classic food stalls selling senbei (rice crackers) and manju (little sweet buns). For those eager to shop, there are several new boutiques and shops that have been run by the same families for generations selling clothes, souvenirs and craftwork. Afterwards, you could start exploring the galleries and museums that bring colors and creativity into Yanaka. First off, there’s the Asakura Museum of Sculpture, a small museum that was the former residence and studio of Asakura Fumio, a renowned Japanese sculptor from the 20th century, who loved to create natural figures. SCAI The Bathhouse is another popular gallery in the area, opened in 1993, focused on contemporary art, which turned a 200-year-old public bathhouse into a space where post-war Japanese art was able to flourish. All in all, Yanaka is the perfect place to get a glimpse of Old Tokyo and experience a more delicate side of the city.
Yanaka’s cemetery is the perfect example of the peaceful and quiet nature of the district.
Daikanyama:
Sometimes, after spending some time in such a dazzling and bustling place as Shibuya, it is important to find somewhere calm and relaxing. Thankfully, Daikanyama is just around the corner and it is a very quiet and pleasant district that will allow you to unwind and enjoy a fashionable, creative and chic atmosphere. You’ll know that you’ve arrived at the neighborhood once you see a large green flower sculpture, which is one of the most iconic sights there. But undoubtedly, the most important highlight of the district is the Daikanyama T-Site, a beautiful complex which holds the famous Tsutaya bookstore, where you’ll find an impressive collection of books, magazines, and music in several languages and ranging all topics, from high-end art to design, photography and travel, for example. There’s clearly a reason why Tsutaya is one of the most prominent bookstores in the world and probably the best one in Japan. And of course, the fact that its building has won prestigious architecture awards and has become a landmark of the district is practically the cherry on top.
One of the best things about Daikanyama, is the fact that there’s no shortage of cafés, restaurants and bars that stand out and try to combine style with quality. This is the kind of place where you won’t go to a Starbucks, but to any other small and edgy café created with Daikanyama’s spirit in mind. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an afternoon coffee or an evening cocktail, you’re most certainly in the right place. We already mentioned that this is a fashionable district as well, and once you step outside the T-Site and start roaming freely through the streets, you’ll know why. There are countless boutiques and shops that try to elaborate intricate pieces and combine very old techniques with modern styles in order to create vintage and current clothes that you won’t find anywhere else. All in all, Daikanyama is one of the coolest places in Tokyo.
Daikanyama T-Site is an architectural masterpiece and one of the most impressive sights in the district.
Harajuku:
Until now, the hidden gems of Tokyo that we’ve seen have been calm and sophisticated districts. Well, that’s about to change, because now we’re going to talk about Harajuku, an (in)famous neighborhood known as colorful, crazy, eclectic and youthful. In reality, it is a very paradoxical district, because on the one hand, you’ll find luxurious fashion stores and high-end boutiques, but on the other, there are countless shops with some of the most extravagant pieces of clothing in the world. This all comes down to the fact that Harajuku is the heart of the cosplaying and urban tribes culture of Tokyo. Thus, that’s where you’ll find people dressed up in Goth or Punk, as well as their favorite anime characters. There’s no limit to the imagination and creativity, and during Sundays, it becomes even clearer just how popular this is in Tokyo, with hundreds of rockabillies, cosplayers and street artists coming together right there in Harajuku. This district is seen as teenager’s favorite spot in the city, and it truly has a youthful atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean that people from all ages come regularly to Harajuku and enjoy all of its eccentricities. Now, there’s way much more in this district than meets the eye, because aside from all of the clothes and colors, there’s also a spiritual side of Harajuku, since it is home to Meiji Jingu, to one of the most important shinto temples of Tokyo. It accounts for a green oasis in between the hustle and bustle of the streets of the district, and it can be the perfect place to learn a little bit more about the Meiji Period, a breaking point in the history of Japan.
Harajuku is a youthful district that exudes colors, energy and creativity.
You might think that this blog was way too short and are eager to discover so much more about lesser-known districts in Tokyo that are still essential for anyone who wants to understand the city to a deeper level. But the thing is, with a metropolis as massive as Tokyo, it is impossible to rank every single district and talk about all that remains hidden behind the skyscrapers and busy streets. We’ve given you a preview of what you can find and of other facets of Tokyo. At the end of the day, it is a city for intellectuals, art lovers, fashionistas and much more, and thankfully, there’s something for everyone there, it’s just that you have to find it.
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